All Blog Posts Tagged 'impact' - Home Energy Pros2016-12-10T01:27:22Zhttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profiles/blog/feed?tag=impact&xn_auth=noMaking Homes Cozier With a House Partytag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2014-05-15:6069565:BlogPost:1570062014-05-15T15:32:18.000ZMelissa Ulbrichthttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/MelissaUlbricht
<p><a href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/JHS5fnHuLYkeQ4bpxmzWdcT7pcOgGw9ZKiRRn3vAbPm0hs9EY8A-6wgJwoTjur6pVW2VRNbgAXXK*C*OzKc8IBxwA-X3sIft/ThermalHouse.jpeg" target="_self"><img class="align-left" src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/JHS5fnHuLYkeQ4bpxmzWdcT7pcOgGw9ZKiRRn3vAbPm0hs9EY8A-6wgJwoTjur6pVW2VRNbgAXXK*C*OzKc8IBxwA-X3sIft/ThermalHouse.jpeg" width="200"></img></a> This week, Elevate Energy read two great accounts of how friends and neighbors came together to learn how to make their own homes cozier and more energy efficient. Thanks for sharing!</p>
<h2>This homeowner wanted to improve her “leaky old ship” of a home and discovered an energy loss culprit.</h2>
<p>Keri…</p>
<p><a href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/JHS5fnHuLYkeQ4bpxmzWdcT7pcOgGw9ZKiRRn3vAbPm0hs9EY8A-6wgJwoTjur6pVW2VRNbgAXXK*C*OzKc8IBxwA-X3sIft/ThermalHouse.jpeg" target="_self"><img src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/JHS5fnHuLYkeQ4bpxmzWdcT7pcOgGw9ZKiRRn3vAbPm0hs9EY8A-6wgJwoTjur6pVW2VRNbgAXXK*C*OzKc8IBxwA-X3sIft/ThermalHouse.jpeg" width="200" class="align-left"/></a>This week, Elevate Energy read two great accounts of how friends and neighbors came together to learn how to make their own homes cozier and more energy efficient. Thanks for sharing!</p>
<h2>This homeowner wanted to improve her “leaky old ship” of a home and discovered an energy loss culprit.</h2>
<p>Keri received a free home energy assessment by hosting a <a title="Energy Impact Illinois House Party" href="http://energyimpactillinois.org/news/free-energy-assessment-when-you-host-a-house-party/" target="_blank">house party</a> through <a title="Energy Impact Illinois" href="http://energyimpactillinois.org/residential/" target="_blank">Energy Impact Illinois</a>. Friends and neighbors gathered at her home and followed a contractor around the property as he checked for energy loss (using some pretty cool tools) and recommended improvements. Here’s what Keri’s planning to do next to make her home warmer, cozier, and more energy efficient. <a title="Energy Impact Illinois House Party" href="http://chicagocatalyst.blogspot.com/2014/05/thar-she-blows-through-our-home.html" target="_blank">http://chicagocatalyst.blogspot.com/2014/05/thar-she-blows-through-our-home.html</a></p>
<h2>Lessons from a single house party benefit an entire community.</h2>
<p>In Calumet Heights, the 89th and Ridgeland Block Club tells a story of how they shared weatherization benefits with their community. Around 40 people gathered at a house party where attendees recognized how the assessment could benefit their comfort and savings at their own homes, many of which are similar mid-century modern residences that also lack efficient air sealing and insulation. One attendee said, “The house party was very well done. My wife and I enjoyed seeing the improvements made to the house and we both learned a lot about ways to reduce our energy bills.” Here’s what others said: <a title="89th and Ridgeland Block Club Energy Impact Illinois House Party" href="http://www.usgbc-illinois.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Energy-Impact-Illinois-House-Party-case-study.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.usgbc-illinois.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Energy-Impact-Illinois-House-Party-case-study.pdf</a></p>
<p>Have your own story to share? We’d love to hear it. Please get in touch with us via <a title="Twitter @Elevate_Energy" href="https://twitter.com/Elevate_Energy" target="_blank">@Elevate_Energy</a> or <a href="mailto:Info@ElevateEnergy.org" target="_blank">Info@ElevateEnergy.org</a>.</p>Get the Most out of Home Energy Efficiency Tax Credits in Illinoistag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2013-01-11:6069565:BlogPost:1021812013-01-11T19:00:00.000ZMelissa Ulbrichthttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/MelissaUlbricht
<div id="_mcePaste">As part of the “fiscal cliff” legislation signed into law early this year, Congress provided a number of <a href="http://www.eebco.org/Resources/Documents/EEBC-Energy%20Efficiency%20Tax%20Credits%20for%202013.pdf" target="_blank">2012 and 2013 tax credits</a> for home energy efficiency improvements. These tax credits, coupled with financial incentives available for energy efficiency improvements, make right now a lucrative time to invest in home energy…</div>
<div id="_mcePaste">As part of the “fiscal cliff” legislation signed into law early this year, Congress provided a number of <a href="http://www.eebco.org/Resources/Documents/EEBC-Energy%20Efficiency%20Tax%20Credits%20for%202013.pdf" target="_blank">2012 and 2013 tax credits</a> for home energy efficiency improvements. These tax credits, coupled with financial incentives available for energy efficiency improvements, make right now a lucrative time to invest in home energy efficiency.</div>
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<div id="_mcePaste">You’ll get twice the deal when you take advantage of an incentive program from <a href="http://energyimpactillinois.org/residential/" target="_blank">Energy Impact Illinois</a>, an alliance to help Illinois residents lower energy costs. The program helps you reduce energy bills and also provides financial incentives to make recommended improvements to your home. If you enroll in the program and install energy efficiency measures this year, you’ll receive an <a href="http://energyimpactillinois.org/news/energy-impact-rebate/" target="_blank">instant rebate of up to $1750</a> from Energy Impact Illinois and your local utility and, you can now also claim a credit of up to $500 for the very same improvements, so long as the improvements are eligible under the tax extension.</div>
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<div id="_mcePaste"><em><a href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/NvxRiCF*Osco0tYx4dqM0KFnLAOobsOBrDFzpjtMP5p2RSBol2M8hCZ6js*sb5wEDXAA*Et3N8pYi7O6LF0W*7tYiXzGkFzW/EnergyEfficiency.jpg" target="_self"><img src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/NvxRiCF*Osco0tYx4dqM0KFnLAOobsOBrDFzpjtMP5p2RSBol2M8hCZ6js*sb5wEDXAA*Et3N8pYi7O6LF0W*7tYiXzGkFzW/EnergyEfficiency.jpg?width=200" width="200" class="align-left"/></a>Example: Say you spend $3,000 on energy efficiency improvements this year via Energy Impact Illinois. You’ll receive an instant rebate of $1,750. Your out-of-pocket cost is now $1,250. If all the improvements made are eligible under the extension, you’d qualify for a tax credit of 10% of this total cost, for a tax reduction of $125 when you next file your taxes. What a bonus!</em></div>
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<div id="_mcePaste">The credit also benefits past participants of Energy Impact Illinois, as it extends to improvements made between Dec. 31 2011, and Dec. 31, 2013. Meaning, that in addition to work you do this year, you can deduct eligible improvements you made to your home last year.</div>
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<div id="_mcePaste">Keep in mind that only certain measures are eligible. The <a href="http://energytaxincentives.org/" target="_blank">Tax Incentives Assistance Project</a> provides information on eligible improvements, how to qualify, resources to find out more on qualifying products, and IRS forms. And, be aware that you will not see the money until your next tax return. And, of course, consult with your tax advisor for details on your situation.</div>
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<div id="_mcePaste"><em>For more on Energy Impact Illinois call 1-855-9-IMPACT (1-855-946-7228).</em></div>
<p> </p>Time to Stand Up and Be Counted!tag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2013-01-10:6069565:BlogPost:1020382013-01-10T22:36:51.000ZLaura Reedy Stukelhttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/lreedystukel
<p style="font: 16px/1.5 Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; color: #444444; text-transform: none; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 24px; word-spacing: 0px; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><em style="border: currentColor; color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-style: italic;">If a tree falls in the…</em></p>
<p style="font: 16px/1.5 Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; color: #444444; text-transform: none; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 24px; word-spacing: 0px; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;"><em style="border: currentColor; color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-style: italic;">If a tree falls in the woods and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?</em></p>
<p style="font: 16px/1.5 Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; color: #444444; text-transform: none; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 24px; word-spacing: 0px; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">One trend I will be both tracking and trying to advance in 2013 is an index of high-performance homes. To date, the trade groups that have a count know their<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><em style="border: currentColor; color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-style: italic;">own count</em>. And many other programs and groups either don't have a count, or they just don't have enough to measure up yet.</p>
<p style="font: 16px/1.5 Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; color: #444444; text-transform: none; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 24px; word-spacing: 0px; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">Real estate is a lagging industry. We don't predict or influence trends. Rather we reflect what happened in the past. Whether it is an appraisal, listing price recommendation or updating advice - we always react to what sold last month, and to movement in an overall sub-segment.</p>
<p style="font: 16px/1.5 Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; color: #444444; text-transform: none; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 24px; word-spacing: 0px; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">If the pie gets cut too many ways, a sub-segment doesn't exist! And until we can see and compare movement in pricing, market times and volume we have nothing to work with.</p>
<p style="font: 16px/1.5 Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; color: #444444; text-transform: none; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 24px; word-spacing: 0px; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">There's progress. The DOE's Better Buildings Neighborhood Program is all about tracking and metrics. USGBC recently released their Green Building Information Gateway (<a style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif;" title="GBIG" href="http://www.gbig.org/" target="_blank">GBIG</a>) and NHAB Research Center has a<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif;" title="NAHB Green Home Counter" href="http://nahbrc.com/services/certification/green_homes_and_products/resources/certification_activity_report" target="_blank">green home counter</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>on their website.</p>
<p style="font: 16px/1.5 Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; color: #444444; text-transform: none; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 24px; word-spacing: 0px; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">But what the high-performance industry needs more than anything else in 2013 is a way to track the whole pie, by MLS service area (roughly the same as a metro statistical area). And not how many Home Performance with Energy Star homes in that area. Or LEED homes. But<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><em style="border: currentColor; color: #444444; line-height: 1.5; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-style: italic;">all the homes regardless of which program</em>.</p>
<p style="font: 16px/1.5 Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; color: #444444; text-transform: none; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 24px; word-spacing: 0px; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">For example, when I looked at MLS data in my home area of Chicago I found that 20% of new homes build in 2012 had some sort of high-performance third-party verification. (More on this coming soon.) Twenty percent! That's huge because there was little fanfare when MLS fields were rolled out, huge because this is all before our new energy-efficiency building codes kicked in on January 1 and huge because 20% represents a significant milestone in the type of data that is accessible for appraisals.</p>
<p style="font: 16px/1.5 Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; color: #444444; text-transform: none; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 24px; word-spacing: 0px; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">Now, how can we work together to make a sound?</p>
<p style="font: 16px/1.5 Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; color: #444444; text-transform: none; text-indent: 0px; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 24px; word-spacing: 0px; white-space: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">Reprinted with permission from NotYetGreen. See <a href="http://www.notyetgreen.com/?p=1972" target="_blank">original article</a>online. </p>Energy Auditing Ourselvestag:homeenergypros.lbl.gov,2011-01-17:6069565:BlogPost:101092011-01-17T20:00:00.000ZNathan Christensenhttp://homeenergypros.lbl.gov/profile/NathanChristensen
<a href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS-N8x7VeKvaLvYJWHE2tdlA_XCMghsWrt22uymEvzPbOtKX_77" target="_blank"><img class="align-right" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS-N8x7VeKvaLvYJWHE2tdlA_XCMghsWrt22uymEvzPbOtKX_77"></img></a> A short while ago I was in a meeting that centered on creating a flexible winter weatherization plan that would have a wide degree of application. While such plans are not uncommon in the least, I was surprised to hear that we, as inhabitants, came up as a serious aspect of energy inefficiency.<br></br>
<p>As someone who works with material and energy inefficiencies,…</p>
<a target="_blank" href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS-N8x7VeKvaLvYJWHE2tdlA_XCMghsWrt22uymEvzPbOtKX_77"><img class="align-right" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS-N8x7VeKvaLvYJWHE2tdlA_XCMghsWrt22uymEvzPbOtKX_77"/></a>A short while ago I was in a meeting that centered on creating a flexible winter weatherization plan that would have a wide degree of application. While such plans are not uncommon in the least, I was surprised to hear that we, as inhabitants, came up as a serious aspect of energy inefficiency.<br/>
<p>As someone who works with material and energy inefficiencies, I often hear blame directed more at mechanical and structural systems rather than people. But people play such a direct role in energy consumption that taking mechanical and structural aspects alone into account simply cannot give you an adequate picture of where or what your real issues are.<img src="http://hickoryenergy.com/wp-includes/js/tinymce/plugins/wordpress/img/trans.gif" class="mceWPmore" title="More..."/></p>
<p>Two houses built of the same level of efficiency, one kept at 75 degrees and the other at 80 degrees, will have different energy consumption values. While this shouldn’t be of any particular surprise, my point is that a mechanical (HVAC) and structural (Insulation and wall materials, windows) can only take you so far. They’re at most, only half of what the full picture of energy consumption in a home looks like.</p>
<p>We, as people, are finicky. We have habits, some odd, some less subtle, some terribly obvious, that attribute to some level of unnecessary energy consumption in our homes. We keep our thermostats set needlessly high, we leave doors open, we neglect routine maintenance on our homes because we forget or are simply lazy. We need to each evaluate our lives and assess how we’re needlessly attributing to energy consumption. When I look at my energy bill, I need to cope with the fact that the majority of the energy I consumed and cost that goes with that is likely directly due to my own negligence. We need to be smarter and more observant of how we go about our daily business at home and understand how that business can translate into wasted energy.</p>
<p>People are different and each home and individuals lifestyle will play into parts I cannot begin to foresee. Therefore, I would encourage everyone to take a step back and examine what you do around your own home that could contribute to needless energy consumption. In the future, I hope that we as a collective body are pushing mechanical and structural systems to be more efficient rather than using mechanical and structural systems to try and correct our own inefficiencies.</p>
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